U.S. patent number 10,516,925 [Application Number 16/147,700] was granted by the patent office on 2019-12-24 for multifunctional audio speaker system.
The grantee listed for this patent is Audio Accessories Group, LLC. Invention is credited to Wang Hai, Zhou Liang, Larry VanSickel, Gu Wendong.
United States Patent |
10,516,925 |
VanSickel , et al. |
December 24, 2019 |
Multifunctional audio speaker system
Abstract
The housing for a wireless audio speaker includes an inner
threaded portion that is complimentary to a drinking bottle
threaded neck portion, enabling the housed speaker to be screwed
onto a drinking bottle neck. The housing contains a misting
subsystem including an atomizer enabling expulsion of water from
the bottle out of the speaker housing as a mist. The system
includes an electronic chip that performs additional electronic
functions including a built-in light emitting diode (LED). The
system includes an attachment subsystem including a handlebar-type
clamp with an extension having a replica threaded bottle neck to
which the speaker housing can be attached. When attached to a
person, the housed audio speaker can perform the additional
electronic functions of: heart rate sensor, pedometer, step
counting and recording, calorie calculation, and distance
calculation. A lost phone alarm can be generated if the smartphone
is left more than a predetermined distance away.
Inventors: |
VanSickel; Larry (Phoenix,
AZ), Hai; Wang (Ningbo, CN), Wendong; Gu
(Ningbo, CN), Liang; Zhou (Ningbo, CN) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Audio Accessories Group, LLC |
Tempe |
AZ |
US |
|
|
Family
ID: |
68982409 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/147,700 |
Filed: |
September 29, 2018 |
Prior Publication Data
|
|
|
|
Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20190098386 A1 |
Mar 28, 2019 |
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04R
3/00 (20130101); B65D 51/24 (20130101); H04R
1/025 (20130101); H04R 1/028 (20130101); B65D
41/04 (20130101); G06F 3/165 (20130101); H04R
1/023 (20130101); H04R 2420/07 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
H04R
1/02 (20060101); B65D 51/24 (20060101); B65D
41/04 (20060101); G06F 3/16 (20060101); H04R
3/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;381/334 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Chin; Vivian C
Assistant Examiner: Odunukwe; Ubachukwu A
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Keith L. Jenkins, Registered Patent
Attorney, LLC Jenkins; Keith L.
Claims
We claim:
1. A multifunctional audio speaker system comprising: a. a housing;
b. a wireless audio playing component mounted within said housing
proximate a top end of said housing; and c. an atomizer mounted
within said housing; and d. a battery mounted within said housing
and connected to supply electrical power to said wireless audio
playing component and to said atomizer; e. a water inlet pipe
extending downward from within said housing; f. wherein said water
inlet pipe comprises a length sufficient for extending into a water
bottle upon which said housing is operable to be mounted; g. said
atomizer in releasable fluidic communication with a top end of said
water inlet pipe; and h. a closed channel within said housing in
fluidic communication between said atomizer and a misting port in
said housing.
2. The system of claim 1, comprising: a. an internally threaded
cylindrical channel in a bottom end of said housing, wherein said
channel is configured to be threadingly connectable to an
externally threaded neck of a predetermined drinking water bottle;
and b. at least one of: i. a first personal attachment comprising
1. a base supporting a replica of said drinking bottle neck; 2. an
extension from said base; and 3. at least one fastener receiver in
said extension; ii. a handheld attachment comprising an elongated
member supporting said replica of said drinking bottle neck on an
end thereof; iii. a second personal attachment comprising: 1. a
base supporting a replica of said drinking bottle neck; 2. at least
one fastener receiver in said base; and 3. a personal connector
releasably fastenable to said base; and iv. an adapter configured
to couple to a larger threaded bottle neck.
3. The system of claim 2, comprising a bar clamp releasably
fastenable to said extension.
4. The system of claim 2, comprising a personal connector
releasably fastenable to said extension.
5. The system of claim 1, comprising a printed circuit board (PCB)
within said housing, said PCB comprising an opening through which
said water inlet pipe extends.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said housing comprises: a. a base
comprising said internally threaded cylindrical channel; b. a
fixing base configured for internal component support and
releasably mounted on said base; and c. a speaker housing mounted
on said base and enclosing said fixing base.
7. The system of claim 6, comprising: a. a speaker grill in said
speaker housing; b. a misting port in said speaker housing; and c.
an ON/OFF switch extending through an opening in said speaker
housing.
8. The system of claim 7, comprising at least one of: a. an at
least partially transparent said ON/Off switch; and b. an at least
partially transparent said fixing base and an at least partially
transparent said housing.
9. The system of claim 6, wherein said audio playing component
comprises: a. said battery mounted within said fixing base; b. a
PCB electrically connected to said battery and mounted within said
fixing base; and c. an audio speaker mounted on top of said fixing
base and connected for communication with said PCB.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein said PCB comprises: a. a
wireless transceiver operable to communicate with a smartphone; b.
at least one accelerometer; c. a light emitting diode; d. logic and
sensors operable to perform the functions of: i. heart rate
determination; ii. pedometer; iii. step counting and recording; iv.
calorie calculation; v. distance calculation; vi. loss or
degradation of signal from a source of audio input signal; and e.
an opening through which said water inlet pipe extends.
11. A multifunctional audio speaker system comprising: a. a base
comprising an internally threaded cylindrical channel; b. wherein
said internally threaded cylindrical channel is configured to be
threadingly connectable to an externally threaded neck of a
conventional drinking water bottle; c. a fixing base configured for
internal component support and releasably mountable on said base;
d. a speaker housing mountable on said base and configured to
enclose said fixing base; e. a wireless audio playing component
mounted within said housing proximate a top end of said housing; f.
an atomizer mounted within said housing; g. a battery mounted on
said fixing base and connected to supply electrical power to said
wireless audio playing component and to said atomizer; h. a misting
port in said speaker housing; i. a water inlet pipe extending
downward from within said housing; j. wherein said water inlet pipe
comprises a length sufficient for extending into said water bottle;
k. an atomizer within said housing and in releasable fluidic
communication with a top end of said water inlet pipe; and l. a
closed channel within said housing in fluidic communication between
said atomizer and said misting port in said speaker housing.
12. The system of claim 11, comprising: a. a speaker grill in said
speaker housing; and b. an ON/OFF switch extending through an
opening in said speaker housing.
13. The system of claim 12, comprising at least one of: a. an at
least partially transparent said ON/Off switch; and b. an at least
partially transparent said fixing base and said housing.
14. The system of claim 12, comprising a printed circuit board
(PCB) within said housing, said PCB comprising an opening through
which said water inlet pipe extends.
15. The system of claim 11, comprising one of: a. a first personal
attachment comprising i. a base supporting a replica of said
drinking bottle neck; ii. an extension from said base; iii. at
least one fastener receiver in said extension; and iv. one of: 1. a
bar clamp releasably fastenable to said extension; and 2. a
personal connector releasably fastenable to said extension; b. a
handheld attachment comprising an elongated member supporting said
replica of said drinking bottle neck on an end thereof; c. a second
personal attachment comprising: i. a base supporting a replica of
said drinking bottle neck; ii. at least one fastener receiver in
said base; and iii. a personal connector releasably fastenable to
said base; and d. an adapter configured to couple to a larger
threaded bottle neck.
16. The system of claim 11, wherein said audio playing component
comprises: a. said battery mounted within said fixing base; b. a
PCB electrically connected to said battery and mounted within said
fixing base; and c. an audio speaker mounted on top of said fixing
base and connected for communication with said PCB.
17. The system of claim 16, wherein said PCB comprises: a. a
wireless transceiver operable to communicate with a smartphone; b.
at least one accelerometer; c. a light emitting diode; and d. logic
and sensors operable to perform the functions of: i. heart rate
determination; ii. pedometer; iii. step counting and recording; iv.
calorie calculation; v. distance calculation; vi. loss or
degradation of signal from a source of audio input signal; and vii.
communication with said PCB.
18. A multifunctional audio speaker system comprising: a. a base
comprising an internally threaded cylindrical channel; b. wherein
said internally threaded cylindrical channel is configured to be
threadingly connectable to an externally threaded neck of a
conventional drinking water bottle; c. a fixing base configured for
internal component support and releasably mountable on said base;
d. a speaker housing mountable on said base and configured to
enclose said fixing base; e. a wireless audio playing component
mounted within said housing proximate a top end of said housing; f.
an atomizer mounted within said housing; g. a battery mounted
within said fixing base and connected to supply electrical power to
said wireless audio playing component and to said atomizer; h. a
speaker grill in said speaker housing; i. a misting port in said
speaker housing; and j. an ON/OFF switch extending through an
opening in said speaker housing; k. at least one of: i. an at least
partially transparent said ON/Off switch; ii. an at least partially
transparent said fixing base and an at least partially transparent
said housing; l. said battery mounted in said fixing base; m. a PCB
electrically connected to said battery and mounted in said fixing
base; n. an audio speaker mounted on top of said fixing base and
connected for audio communication with said PCB; o. wherein said
PCB comprises: i. a wireless transceiver operable to communicate
with a smartphone; ii. at least one accelerometer; iii. a light
emitting diode; iv. logic and sensors operable to perform the
functions of: 1. heart rate determination; 2. pedometer; 3. step
counting and recording; 4. calorie calculation; 5. distance
calculation; and 6. loss or degradation of signal from a source of
audio input signal.
19. The system of claim 18, wherein said audio playing component
comprises said PCB further comprising an opening through which said
water inlet pipe extends.
20. The system of claim 19, comprising one of: a. a misting sub
system comprising: i. a water inlet pipe extending downward from
within said housing; ii. wherein said water inlet pipe comprises a
length sufficient for extending into said water bottle; iii. an
atomizer within said housing and in releasable fluidic
communication with a top end of said water inlet pipe; and iv. a
closed channel within said housing in fluidic communication between
said atomizer and said misting opening in said housing; and b. an
attachment subsystem comprising one of: i. a first personal
attachment comprising 1. a base supporting a replica of said
drinking bottle neck; 2. an extension from said base; 3. at least
one fastener receiver in said extension; and 4. one of: a. a bar
clamp releasably fastenable to said extension; and b. a personal
connector releasably fastenable to said extension; ii. a handheld
attachment comprising an elongated member supporting said replica
of said drinking bottle neck on an end thereof; iii. a second
personal attachment comprising: 1. a base supporting a replica of
said drinking bottle neck; 2. at least one fastener receiver in
said base; and 3. a personal connector releasably fastenable to
said base; and iv. an adapter configured to couple to a larger
threaded bottle neck.
Description
RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER APPLICATIONS
The present application claims the benefit, under the Paris
Convention, of Chinese utility model application No. 201720981137.9
filed Aug. 8, 2017 to the same inventors.
FIELD OF ART
The present invention relates to a wireless audio speaker in a
novel structure. The present invention more particularly relates to
an audio speaker structure that can function as a bottle cap, an
attachment to a rod, or be hand held, or attached to a person and
can perform additional electronic functions.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Speakers are indispensable audio devices in modern life, and can
play beautiful music by using built-in playing components, bringing
people pleasant listening experience. Currently, some speakers tend
to be large-scale and high-end, while some tend to be small and
integrated. With advantages of a small size, nice appearance, being
easy to carry, and the like, such small speakers are popular with
music fans. However, most small speakers have only the function of
playing music. In addition, the small speakers are usually placed
at particular positions and cannot be flexibly mounted. When people
need to enjoy music while riding on bicycles, running on running
machines, or participating in other activities, such speakers are
inconvenient in use, making it difficult to better meet these
requirements of people. Finding a way to provide auxiliary speakers
for handheld electronic devices continues to be a challenge.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly described, the housing for a wireless audio speaker
includes an inner threaded portion that is complimentary to a
drinking bottle threaded neck portion, enabling the housed speaker
to be screwed onto a drinking bottle neck. The housing contains a
misting subsystem including an atomizer enabling expulsion of water
from the bottle out of the speaker housing as a mist. The system
includes an electronic chip that performs additional electronic
functions including a built-in light emitting diode (LED). The
system includes an attachment subsystem including a handlebar-type
clamp with an extension having a replica threaded bottle neck to
which the speaker housing can be attached. When attached to a
person, the housed audio speaker can perform the additional
electronic functions of: heart rate sensor, pedometer, step
counting and recording, calorie calculation, and distance
calculation. A lost phone alarm can be generated if the smartphone
is left more than a predetermined distance away.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction
with the following drawing figures, wherein like numerals denote
like elements, and
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view illustrating a first exemplary
embodiment of the multifunctional audio speaker system, according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the first
exemplary embodiment of the multifunctional audio speaker system of
FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a second exemplary
embodiment of the multifunctional audio speaker system, according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the second
exemplary embodiment of the multifunctional audio speaker system of
FIG. 3, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 5 is a side x-ray view illustrating s feature of the first
exemplary embodiment the multifunctional audio speaker system of
FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 6 is a side perspective view illustrating a third exemplary
embodiment of the multifunctional audio speaker system of FIG. 4,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment
of an adapter for the multifunctional audio speaker system of FIG.
1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment
of a strap-mountable base for the multifunctional audio speaker
system of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment
of a hand-held base for the multifunctional audio speaker system of
FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention; and
FIG. 10 is a side elevation view illustrating a first exemplary
embodiment of the multifunctional audio speaker system of FIG. 1 in
communication with a smart phone, according to a preferred
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As used and defined herein, words of relative position such as
"top", "bottom" etc., are referenced to the operational orientation
of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 10.
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view illustrating a first exemplary
embodiment of the multifunctional audio speaker system 100,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The
multifunctional audio speaker system includes a multifunctional
audio speaker 102 and a plurality of mounting options, one of which
is illustrated as the first exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1.
Multifunctional audio speaker 102 is shown with speaker housing 112
fastened to bottle 104 by threaded attachment, as with conventional
twist-on water bottle caps. Speaker housing 112 includes a speaker
grill 108, an ON/OFF push button 212 (see FIG. 2) and a misting
port 110. Bottle 104 has a threaded neck 106. Speaker housing 112
is illustrated for a particular size of water bottle 104, but that
is merely exemplary. Various sizes of housings 112 may be made for
respective various sizes of water bottles 104. In a particular
embodiment, housing 112 may be sold with an adapter 700 (see FIG.
7) for attaching speaker housing 112 to a larger water bottle
neck.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the first
exemplary embodiment of the multifunctional audio speaker system
100 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The multifunctional audio speaker 102 includes a base
218, a fixing base 208 detachably mounted on the base 218, and a
housing 112 that is detachably engaged with and mounted on the base
218 and that encloses the fixing base 208. A speaker grill 108 is
disposed on the top of the housing 112 for music broadcast. An
inner threaded hole 220 is disposed within the base 218 and has
threads compatible with the threads on threaded bottle neck 106.
The audio playing component 202 includes a lithium battery 216 and
a printed circuit board (PCB) 214 that are sealed and mounted in
the fixing base 208, and an audio speaker 204 sealed and mounted on
the top of the fixing base 208. Spacers 210 (one of two labeled)
for sealing and mounting are disposed both between the lithium
battery 216 and the PCB 214 and between the PCB 214 and the audio
speaker 204. The spacer 210 is preferably an ethylene-vinyl acetate
(EVA) hard sponge spacer 210. A seal ring 206 for sealing and
mounting is also disposed between the audio speaker 204 and the top
of the fixing base 208. A wire guide 222 is fixedly mounted using
screws 224 (one of two labeled) and is preferably disposed inside
the housing 112. A push button 212 is disposed on an outer surface
of the upper cover 112, and is preferably configured to enable or
disable (toggle) the audio playing component 202 by means of
pressing.
Water bottle 104 has an externally threaded bottle neck 106
(threads not shown in this view) terminating in an opening 226.
Base 218 has an internally threaded surface (threads not shown) in
the inner threaded hole 220 in which the threads are complimentary
to the external threads on threaded bottle neck 106, enabling base
218 to be threaded onto threaded bottle neck 106. Lithium battery
216 is mounted in fixing base 218. Battery 216 is preferably a
lithium battery which powers both the audio speaker 204 and the
atomizer 504. In some embodiments, other types of batteries may be
used.
Printed circuit board (PCB) 214 preferably includes a wireless
transceiver, at least one accelerometer, an LED, and logic for
additional electronic functions. Preferably, electronic chips used
for modern electronic smart watches are used on PCB 214. An
additional electronic function includes a built-in light emitting
diode (LED). Push button 212 may be transparent or translucent to
be illuminated by the LED when the audio playing component 202 is
turned on. In other embodiments, the fixing base 208 and housing
112 may be partially transparent, either by being translucent or by
having only a portion of their structures transparent. The
multifunctional audio speaker 102 may also be attached to a person,
in which case the multifunctional audio speaker 102 can perform the
additional electronic functions of: heart rate sensor, pedometer,
step counting and recording, calorie calculation, and distance
calculation. When in communication with a smart phone 1002 (see
FIG. 10), a reminder can be generated if the multifunctional audio
speaker 102 is left more than a predetermined distance away from
the smartphone 1002. Preferably, distance is sensed as signal
strength.
The multifunctional audio speaker 102 may be mounted in multiple
ways. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, according to the first
embodiment of the multifunctional audio speaker system 100, the
multifunctional audio speaker 102 may be detachably and threadably
connected to an outer threaded bottle neck 106 of a water bottle
104 by means of the inner threaded hole 220 within the base 218. In
this case, as shown in FIG. 5, a water inlet pipe 502 is disposed
at the bottom of the multifunctional audio speaker 102, a lower end
of the water inlet pipe 502 extends into the water bottle 104 and
is initially submerged in water. An upper end of water inlet pipe
502 (see FIG. 5) extends into multifunctional audio speaker 102 and
is releasably connected to an atomizer 504 (see FIG. 5), which has
an output into a closed channel 506 (see FIG. 5) in fluidic
communication with misting port 110 on the housing 112. Therefore,
atomization can be provided anytime and anywhere simply by using
the existing water bottle 104, achieving two purposes of adding a
use function of the speaker and promoting product use
comfortability
FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a second exemplary
embodiment of the multifunctional audio speaker system 300,
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIGS.
3 and 4 illustrate one embodiment of an attachment subsystem.
Multifunctional audio speaker system 300 includes the same
multifunctional audio speaker 102 as appears in FIGS. 1 and 2, but
without releasable water inlet pipe 502 (see FIG. 5). Attachment
base 302 couples with multifunctional audio speaker 102 and has an
extension 312, illustrated here as a handlebar clamp support 312.
Handlebar clamp support 312 receives two releasable fasteners 310
(one of two labeled) in respective fastener receivers 318 (one of
two labeled) to fasten together top clamp portion 304, spacers 308
(one of two labeled), and bottom clamp portion 306, as shown, in
order to secure attachment base 302 to a handlebar with handlebar
clamp 320. Fastener receivers 318 (one of two labeled) are
illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 as countersunk bolt holes, but the
invention is not so limited. Those of skill in the art, enlightened
by the present disclosure, will appreciate the many other
bar-shaped objects to which attachment base 302 may be clamped. For
non-limiting examples, backpack frames, walking sticks, canes,
tubular frame members generally, and rear-view mirror supports. In
various other embodiments, top and bottom clamp portions may be
sized for larger or smaller bars. In various other embodiments, top
and bottom clamp portions may be shaped to attach to bars of
polygonal, conic section, or irregular cross sections.
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the second
exemplary embodiment of the multifunctional audio speaker system
300 of FIG. 3, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. Attachment base 302 supports a replica 314 of a threaded
bottle neck 106 extending upward from attachment base 302.
Multifunctional audio speaker 102 may be threadably connectable to
replica 314, as shown in FIG. 3. Internal supports 316 make replica
314 stronger. Misting is not available with multifunctional audio
speaker system 300, although the atomizer 504 (see FIG. 5) and
closed channel 506 (see FIG. 5) remain in multifunctional audio
speaker 102.
FIG. 5 is a side x-ray view illustrating s feature of the first
exemplary embodiment the multifunctional audio speaker system 100
of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. Preferably, water inlet pipe 502 is not centered on the
multifunctional audio speaker 102, but extends upward from within
the water bottle 104, through opening 226, through a gap between
the square lithium battery 216 and the round base 218, through a
hole 228 in the PCB 214, to the atomizer 504 within the fixing base
208 and outward through the closed channel 506 along an inside
surface of the speaker housing 112 to the misting port 110, as
shown. Water inlet pipe 502 is preferably releasably attached to
atomizer 504. In some embodiments, water inlet pipe 502 may be a
hose. The path for air entering the water bottle 104 as water is
drawn out by the atomizer 504 is via an opening (not shown) in the
speaker housing proximate the push button 212 and through a space
between the square battery 216 and the round fixing base 208.
FIG. 6 is a side perspective view illustrating a third exemplary
embodiment of the multifunctional audio speaker system 600 of FIG.
4, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIGS. 6-9 illustrate embodiments of the attachment subsystem.
Multifunctional audio speaker system 600 uses the attachment base
302 of the embodiment of FIG. 4, but attaches a personal connector
604, illustrated as a spring clip 604, in place of the handlebar
clamp 320. Fasteners 602 (one of two labeled) are customized to the
particular embodiment. Those of skill in the art, enlightened by
the present disclosure, will be aware of the vast array of personal
connectors available. For non-limiting examples, lanyards, wrist
bands, scissor spring clips, snaps, buttons, hook and loop
fasteners, etc. When attached to a person, the additional
electronic functions operate, including heart rate sensor,
pedometer, step counting and recording, calorie calculation, and
distance calculation. The data produced by the additional
electronic functions is displayable on a wireless-transceiver
equipped computing device, such as a smart phone 1002 (see FIG.
10). Misting is not available in multifunctional audio speaker
system 600, as the water inlet pipe 502 must be released.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment
of an adapter 700 for the multifunctional audio speaker 102 of FIG.
5, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
Adapter 700 uses a second type of replica 702 of a threaded bottle
neck 106 mounted on a screw-on lid 704 configured for a larger
water bottle. The inner surface of circumferential lid wall 708
supports the internal threads. Replica 702 has an opening 710 that
goes through the top surface 706 of screw-on lid 704, enabling
misting from the larger water bottle. Replica 702 does not have the
internal supports 316 of replica 314.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment
of a strap-mountable base 802 for the multifunctional audio speaker
102 of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. Strap-mountable base 802 includes a panel 804 which
supports a replica 314 of a threaded bottle neck 106 extending
upward from panel 804. Multifunctional audio speaker 102, without
water inlet pipe 502 installed, is threadably connectable to
replica 314, as shown in FIG. 3. Panel 804 includes fastener
receivers 808 and 806, illustrated as strap-receiving slots. In
various embodiments, various respective fastener receivers 808 and
806, may be used. For non-limiting examples, watch bands, wrist
straps, ankle bands, and necklaces. Misting is not available with
strap-mountable base 800, although the atomizer 504 (see FIG. 5)
and closed channel 506 (see FIG. 5) remain in multifunctional audio
speaker 102.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment
of a hand-held base 902 for the multifunctional audio speaker 102
of FIG. 1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. Replica 314 is fixed to a hand-held base 902, which may
be, in various embodiments, a cylindrical shell, a solid cylinder,
a releasably closable container for multifunctional audio speaker
102, where "cylindrical" includes cylinders with cross sections of
conic sections, polygons, or irregular cross sections. In some
embodiments, the cross section may vary along the length of the
hand-held base 902.
FIG. 10 is a side elevation view illustrating a first exemplary
embodiment of the multifunctional audio speaker system 100 of FIG.
1 in wireless communication 1004 with a smart phone 1002, according
to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The output data
of the additional electronic functions, including heart rate
sensor, pedometer, step counting and recording, calorie
calculation, and distance calculation, may be read on a wirelessly
linked 1004 smart phone via an application resident on the
smartphone 1002. Smartphone 1002 is preferably the source of music
played by the audio playing component 202, which is wirelessly
transmitted 1004 to the wireless transceiver on the PCB 214. The
wireless connection 1004 is preferably a Bluetooth.RTM. wireless
connection 1004. In various embodiments, other wireless sources of
music signals may be used.
* * * * *